Linda Fairbairn will retire at the end of the year as the Director of Social Services for Prowers County after 42 years of service. An appreciation reception was held for her by staff and friends at the Prowers County Annex this past Friday, December 13.

Linda had thanks for so many people who had worked for her and with her and she took time to acknowledge as many as possible. She stated, “I estimate that in my 40 years as a Director, I have worked with at least 50 commissioners. We have not always agreed but I have always respected them and the tough job they do. John Stulp, Leroy Mauch, Ray Miller, Clede Widener, Charlie Wait and Don Self hired me back in 1975. I think their wisdom is exceeded only by the size of their hearts. I also want to say a special thank you to Gene Millbrand, Joe Marble, Henry Schnabel and Wendy Buxton-Andrade. We have had some tough times, but when life gave me another kick in the teeth last year, they supported me and encouraged me.”

Fairbairn added, “I have been lucky in my life because I have had the privilege of working with people who want to help, who want to make a difference because if you do not feel that, you cannot do this work for long. It is the people who make it work doing. If I can leave one legacy, it is that your remember that. Long after the tears and the laughter, and the hurt and the sometimes deep ache to be understood and appreciated are gone, the work still matters because people matter.

Fairbairn said she is looking at a move to Pueblo in the near future where she intends to stay active with her writing and perhaps return to her love of poetry. She said she may be on hand for an occasional inquiry or two about some specifics of the job as well. Fairbairn will be replaced as head of the Department of Social Services by Lanie Mireles who was hired by the county several months ago. She has been training with Fairbairn to take over her position beginning with the new year.